Ascending Destiny 5/?
Chapter V
UNNEXPECTED HORIZONS
Author Name- Jalkin
Email- Uncaescobar@aol.com
Catagorey- Action/Adventure, Romance
Key Words- Slash, Special Powers, Prophecies, Angst, Violence, Triads.
Disclaimer- This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Spoilers- All Books!
Summary- When a bloody Severus Snape knocks on Harry's door, a tale unfolds as Voldemort finds competition for world-take-over, the gang develops unusual powers, and prophecies are fulfilled. All this with a love triangle, the Triwizard tournament, the Founder Artifacts, a devious Hermione Granger and the redefining of the magical world…
A/N- Another chapter, now you find out about a number of things. It will probably leave you confused as hell. But I spent some time on this and it's nice and long. Please remember to review, having 15 reviews makes me INCREDIBLY happy, but since my hit count is slightly over 600 hits, I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong. Complications ahoy!
UNEXPECTED HORIZONS
Fear, fear was a weapon greater than any other. Sure hate and love were powerful but nothing was greater than fear, it was easy to manufacture and a strong force. Humans needed to survive; their fear for their lives drove them to incredible extremes.
The dark mark was a symbol of fear. Harry stared at it and he knew what it meant, someone had died. But something about it was wrong… Harry's eyes widened as he realized exactly what he was seeing. The dark mark was pink? Harry choked, what was going on? He spent most of the day writing letters, asking everyone from Sirius to Hermione about what they thought. He even snuck out to visit Ms. Figg but she wasn't home.
He didn't find out anytime soon.
Finally it was time. Harry had been pacing, this time the fireplace was cleared out and the Dursleys had left for the day. They still remembered Dudley's last encounter with magic and were in no hurry to repeat it. Harry paced some more. He didn't know why he was nervous, but only because he wouldn't admit it to himself. Seamus…
He flung himself limply into a chair and sagged like a fat cat. Seamus… his impish eyes and soft skin, so comfortable and so, so… Harry couldn't describe it, every time he thought about Seamus he just felt exhausted. He couldn't explain it. He thought about Seamus, thought really hard and then-
Intense grief and pain swept his body and he screamed in agony at sorrow that wasn't his. Images-
An old woman, lying there. Her face was frozen in pain, her body twisted at cruel angles and her eyes wide open in terror. She had soiled herself in pain and fear, and then on her head was burned the dark mark-
And then the black surrounded him and he was carried away by it.
"Harry." The voice came from far away, floating effortlessly in a pool of calm liquid black. Velvet chocolate, warm, comfortable- Harry shook himself and looked around wildly. His body felt drained and cramped. He was sprawled all over a bed; he dimly recognized it as being Ron's.
"What- wha?" Harry mumbled and then his glasses were put on him. He looked around. The concerned faces of almost the entire Weasley family stared down at him, and Hermione.
'Alright everyone he's fine all you scoot." Mrs. Weasley shook her hands at the group and everyone but Ron and Hermione cleared out.
"Harry what happened to you?" Hermione asked, her eyes filled with concern. Molly Weasley leaned down and looked into Harry's eyes.
"I- I don't know." Harry said and buried his face in his hands. He didn't know, he just didn't know… "I just felt, I don't know, grief, depression, something." The three looked pointedly at his scar.
"No it wasn't that, it had nothing to do with Voldemort, of that I'm sure." Harry stated firmly.
"Well sometimes repressed grief can do strange things to the body." Hermione said.
"Well whatever happened a good month of relaxation and time with friends can't hurt." Mrs. Weasley said. Harry smiled, he'd been looking forward to his time at the Burrow, he always did.
"Come on you two, stop staring at the broomsticks and let's get moving." Hermione grabbed Harry and Ron by their arms and pulled them along with her. Harry sighed grumpily and Ron rolled his eyes. There was a brand new broom out, the Golden Arrow; the same makers of the Silver Arrow had spent years researching new speed spells and braking charms. It was supposed to fly like a dream. Harry new he still had one of the best brooms on the market, the Firebolt was still selling strong to professional teams and those with the money, but his hands itched to jump on the new broom.
"Ah, here we are!" Hermione said. Flourish and Bots, probably Hermione's favorite store ever. She looked happily at the rows of magical books; ignoring the gagging gesture Ron was making and the laughter Harry was stifling. Hermione gently traced the spin of nearby book.
"Well come on guys lets get our books." She said. Harry sighed and Ron did as well. Ron only needed a new divination book, which made it easier on his pocket, but Harry had to buy a whole new set just like last year. Suddenly Hermione glanced at a book and it pulled her into it. Theoretical Magic, anonymous.
"How much is this?" Hermione asked the man at the counter. He raised his eyes up over his spectacles.
"Oh that, it's been in here forever, probably not worth much but since it's old I'll make it 2 galleons." Hermione raised an eyebrow. The man grimaced. "Fine 1 galleon and 2 sickles." Hermione nodded and doled out the money. The man grumbled and turned around with the money. Harry inched over after buying his books to see what Hermione had bought. She was reading the intro to a book about theoretical magic. Her eyes went wide.
"Harry- look at this!" She whispered in awe. Harry looked, and what he read sacred him.
In the time of the snake lord
The heir to ambition and cruelty
Shall the dragons be awakened
And by the hand of the lighting boy
Shall the Sorcerer be awakened.
To the reader of this book,
The stars bear your name Hermione Granger
I wrote this for you, use it well.
Rowena Ravenclaw
"Oh my god." Mr. Weasley breathed. Hermione and Harry had both shown the book to Ron and then as soon as they'd gotten home, just in time for dinner, they'd shown it to Arthur.
"What is it Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Sit down Molly, listen to this." He read the passage aloud. Percy looked pointedly at Bill and who took the book. He perused it, tapping it with his wand and saying some words. His face grew increasingly frustrated and finally in anger he shouted, "Aperio Altus!" He shouted. There was a flash of light and Bill was knocked backwards. The book gently flew into Hermione's arms.
"Bill!" Mrs. Weasley yelled. Bill held out a hand groggily and stumbled upwards.
"That's a fair strong protection its got there, must be the real thing." Bill mumbled, and then toppled over backwards unconscious. Fred and George looked at each other in awe while Percy stared wide-eyed at the book. There was a knock at the door. Everyone turned to look at the door, drawn by some peculiar force. The door opened and Arabella Figg took one look around and said the first thing that came to her mind.
"What the bloody hell are you doing?"
Dumbledore shook his head, this was not going well. Voldemort had killed the simurculum Severus had sent, that meant that they had no way to infiltrate the ranks now. Dumbledore sighed, now he would have to recruit spies, that would take time. Severus was still in bed, he had been in a link with the simurculum while it had died. As such he needed rest for at least a week or more. And what had happened to the Longbottoms… The world was a terrible cruel place.
Fawkes floated gently over to Dumbledore. The great phoenix cried a single lonely tear onto the old man's forehead, a tear that restored Dumbledore to a greater physical vigor, but the same weary heart. An owl knocked on the window. Dumbledore look up in apprehension, another letter. He looked at the owl and thought it seemed familiar. That's the owl Ron Weasley owns, what could the boy possibly be sending me? When Dumbledore read it though, he knew that this year would be the herald for the revolution, for this was the first sign.
Time. Time was burning as it rushed pass. Within what seemed minutes it was time to leave the Burrow. Harry still couldn't believe that Ms. Figg was a family friend of the Weasleys. He also couldn't believe some of the thing she'd said… He'd never thought that the old woman could be such a different person underneath, but then again he couldn't have conceived of her being a retired Auror and from Slytherin at that.
Harry grunted as he stuffed one last bit of clothing into a trunk. He looked up and exhaled a long breath. Finally done packing. He leaned out the window.
"Hedwig, time to go!" He shouted. Within minutes Hedwig gently glided onto the windowsill and looked at him expectantly. Harry sighed and fished an owl treat out of a trunk. After giving it to Hedwig he popped her back in the cage for the ride. Then Bill popped into Ron's room.
"Bloody hell I'm still not used to this fuc- I mean bright orange." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Were you going to say fucking Bill? I can tell you right now I know what it means." Bill grimaced and then smiled sheepishly.
"When we work on curses there's generally quite a bit of swearing, fairly frustrating work as much fun as it is." Bill shrugged and flicked his wand at the trunks, using the same first spell Harry had learned all those years ago. The trunks floated up and Bill flicked his wand towards the stairs. They slowly floated down. He turned to Harry and smiled.
"Well come on then." And the two went down to get in the cars.
The Hogwarts express, a train that represented so much in Harry's life. He smiled as he said goodbye to the Weasleys. As he got on the train he sighed contentedly, he would be returning to Hogwarts. For now, what would come could, and he would take whatever could be thrown at him.
That fact that he could soon see Seamus would be a small bonus… Only a small one. Harry chuckled and then stared off into nothingness at the things he wanted to do. Ah shit. He quickly rearranged his robes.
"Hey Ron, where was Charlie?" Harry suddenly asked. Ron sighed.
"On assignment, something about a special kind of dragon they thought was extinct." Ron shifted uncomfortably. Ginny was staring out the window, her hair cascading forlornly down her neck. Hermione leaned over and whispered something in her ear that made Ginny laugh. Harry raised an eyebrow and soon everyone was laughing at nothing in particular.
"Now what is this all about?" Ms. Figg asked. Harry looked at her in surprise.
"Ms. Figg- what?" She snapped at him causing the four to jump.
"Ah ah Harry, that's Professor Figg my dears." She smiled at them nastily and they all felt the sudden urge to run. "I'll see just what you're made of while we learn merrily about the Dark Arts." She giggled then at their astonished expressions.
"Oh this will be so much fun!" She walked down the train and was almost run over by Draco Malfoy. The two looked at each other and Draco opened his mouth to make some sort of sarcastic remark but Ms. Figg stared him down so that he was left gaping. She flicked her wand out and flicked Draco's nose. The boy grabbed it and made room for her. She stalked out past him, pausing to snicker at Crabbe and Goyle.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry drawled. Draco seemed to snap out of his reverie and glared at the group. For a minute silence reined, a hot oppressive thing with a mind of its own. Then a trio of young wizards entering interrupted it. Harry recognized Roger, Adriana and Claire.
"Hi Harry!" Claire said brightly, the scar on her cheek creased by her dimples. "Introduce us to your friends." Roger adjusted his glasses and blinked, looking nearsightedly at the four. Adriana sent Draco a chilling yet appraising glance. Her face was twisted into its usual unpleasant half-sneer.
"Uhm, right. This is Hermione Granger and Ginny and Ron Weasley." Harry gestured to each friend in turn. "Guys this is Claire, that's Roger and lastly this is Adriana." Claire gave a meaningful glance at the Malfoy and henchmen incorporated. "Oh, yes, that's Vincent Goyle, Gregory Crabbe and that one is Draco Malfoy." Harry said Malfoy with a certain subtle amount of distaste. Adriana smiled.
"A Malfoy hmm? You mother left some interesting enchantments in the girls dormitory, tell her thank you for me." Claire rolled her eyes and Roger's eyes lit up.
"So that's how…" He trailed off and suddenly gave Adriana a hurt look.
"Right, I'm leaving." Draco said and turned to go. Crabbe and Goyle shrugged and followed.
"He seemed a rather nasty fellow, I guess what they say about Malfoys is true." Harry never got a chance to ask Claire what it was they said about Malfoys because then Mad Eye Moody walked in the car.
"There you three are, and there you three are." He said. He was looking at the group but his other eye was swiveling every which way. "Good to see you again Harry, now as for you three." He barked suddenly causing Claire to jump, Roger to flinch and Adriana to snort derisively. "Come with me, we have something to do." He ordered and left. The three shrugged said goodbye and followed their teacher.
"So Harry, just who were they?" Hermione asked.
"Apparently Mad Eye took some pupils, those are them. I met them this summer at Ms. Figg's, remember I told you about what happened after Snape got to my house?" They nodded; Ron had spent weeks trying to work out how to use that connection against Snape. In the end Hermione had told him to "cut that out you're being stupid professor Snape was doing a good thing so just shut up Ron!" Harry had told them everything that had happened- almost everything; he wasn't ready to tell them about Seamus yet.
"Well if that's everything I'm going to read for a bit." Hermione took out the slim book that said Theoretical Magic on the front. Harry could have sworn she'd finished the book before now; it couldn't be more than 50 pages thick. He said as much.
"I don't know but the writing just seems to keep changing, especially depending on what I'm looking for." Hermione then tuned the world out as she gazed into her book studiously. Ron then set into Harry about some remark Harry had made about one of the Cannons' beaters. The two argued about quidditch for a while, leaving Ginny to gaze out the window. Finally she got out her wand and made little sparks with it, waving them hypnotically in the air…
They fluttered and fell to the floor, grim metaphors that flitted in and out of light just like life.
"HERMIONE!" Ron shouted. Hermione jerked up and gave a yelp of surprise.
"Wow, you got through to her, I must admit Ron I am impressed, not many can break through to the illustrious mind of the rare Hermione Granger when it is fully concentrated, but as you can see with the proper verbal inducement-"
"Shut up Harry." Hermione grumbled. Harry grinned at her cheekily while Ron laughed not so quietly into his hand.
"Hah, hah." Ginny drawled and got up. "Let's go guys, the train's stopped." The four trouped off and soon were on their way to the castle. Harry frowned, where was Hagrid?
"Hey guys!" The four stopped in surprise.
"Charlie?" Asked Ron incredulously.
"Now is that the way to greet your brother Ronnykins?" Charlie smiled at his brother before embracing him and Ginny in a big hug.
"Sorry I didn't come home, I just owled mum and dad, but Dumbledore needed someone to teach Care of Magical Creatures." Harry nodded in understanding; Hagrid had gone due to the events- his mind just stopped working and then it was clear. Hagrid would come back. And yet as he worked his way up to the castle he couldn't help but fear for his friend, one of his best friends and his first one at that.
"Well now don't think I'll be easy on you cuz you're family Ron, Ginny I'll take care of you." Ron spluttered indignantly and Ginny laughed. Hermione pointed at Ron and said, "Serves you right brat!"
"Brat, I'm as old as you are!" Ron gasped out.
"Ah but Ron do you act it?" Charlie intoned wisely. Suddenly Fred and George appeared.
"Charlie!" They both shouted and hugged him at the same time. But because of that Charlie lost his balance and collapsed under his two younger brothers.
"Oof! Come you great oafs get off me." The two jumped up and grinned. Then Charlie startled them all by doing a back handspring up. He grinned at them then.
"It pays to learn a few tricks, I use 'em ruthlessly on the ladies." His grin turned reckless then, something very few people can manage but Charlie did. Hedwig hooted angrily in her cage reminded Harry that she was probably hungry.
"Oh alright, here you go." He opened the door and Hedwig flew out, hooting happily. With an almost sigh of resigned acceptance Ron released Pigwidgeon. The not so small ball of feathers hooted crazily and winged it out fast, presumably to wreak havoc in the Hogwarts Owlery.
"Come on guys, let's get to dinner." Charlie said.
Harry sighed in contentment, even though he was stuffed past what could be considered comfortable and was about ready to fall asleep he felt great. He looked up at the staff table for the 50th time that night. Ms. Figg was the new DADA; Charlie was the new gamekeeper and COMC teacher. And Mad Eye was just hanging around apparently. Bullshit, Dumbledore's keeping some extra guns here this year. Harry knew why, but he didn't, couldn't, wouldn't, dwell on it.
He made his way to the Griffyndor tower and after some goodbye retired to his bed. He had barely reached the bed when someone attacked him. Harry recognized Seamus by the touch, the light playful tickling and nibbling on his neck.
"Ooh, Seamus, I-" Seamus silenced him with a kiss and an impish twinkle in his eyes.
"You what Harry Potter?" He said with an amused expression on his face. Harry glared at him and hugged him fiercely.
"I missed you, you fucking dumb Irish brat." Then he plastered his mouth against Seamus' tasting him, invading him sparking a desire that made his groin feel like all the blood in the world was swelling there. Seamus responded all to well to that. The two tumbled into Harry's bed and Seamus found himself underneath Harry's body. The good thing about robes, Harry reflected, was that they were hella easy to get off.
"Now, let's see if I've lost my touch." Harry said, but before he could dive in Seamus jerked his towards the door. Harry nodded and looked thoughtfully at Seamus.
"Well I guess we wait till later then." Harry sighed, he didn't want to wait, he wanted to… Well he wanted Seamus now, not later.
"Aw fuck it." Harry said. Seamus sighed and gathered up his clothes.
"I know but if we get caught out we're royally fucked, and I don't mean by each other." Harry groaned at Seamus, trust him to make a joke out of their situation. But then the humor of the comment struck him and he chuckled.
"Well I'll see you later tonight." Seamus said and promptly hopped into bed and fell asleep. Harry grumbled to himself, why did he have to wake Seamus up…
Sometime later Dean and Ron filed in to bed. Harry thought quickly, the lights were out and everyone seemed to be sleeping, just Neville wasn't there, but Neville wouldn't disturb them if they cast a silence spell… Harry got out his wand and tried to remember the spell. And then slapped his head for forgetting it, this was an easy one!
"Silencio." Harry murmured. He'd had to use it this summer at Ms. Figg's so he knew it worked. He crept cautiously into Seamus' bed and slowly slid himself under the covers. He checked to see if Seamus was still hard and he was. Then, with a sneaky grin on his face, he went down and swiftly inhaled Seamus. Seamus woke with a startled gasp and went into a strange sort of shock. And then he realized what was going on.
"Jesus fucking mother of Christ Harry you just about gave me a heart attack." He whispered. Then he groaned as Harry nipped his tip for that comment. Harry gently swirled his tongue around and Seamus gripped the blanket so tight he felt like he was going to tear it in to. Damn it when did Harry get this good? Has he been thinking about it as much as I have? But then Seamus had no more room for questions. Suddenly Harry was kissing him on the mouth, or rather in the mouth.
It struck Seamus as rather kinky that Harry had just been sucking his "wand" and was now kissing him with that same mouth. Then Harry straddled him and it felt like electrical fire burning between them. A gust of wind swept through the dorm and calmed their inflamed skins. Harry shivered in delight and Seamus suddenly attached himself to Harry's neck. He bit and sucked and Harry gasped in his hands.
Suddenly the two were done with games and were grinding into each other and then it was over all to soon. Harry wiped some up and sucked it right off his finger. Seamus made a disgusted face; he wasn't overly fond of the taste of cum.
So instead Seamus reached down and grabbed an old sock to mop up with. Then Harry plopped down next to him. They held each other and gently fell asleep. Nothing feels better than being in the arms of someone who cares.
Crying, sobs, Harry woke slowly, not thinking clearly. What time was it? He tried to make out the clock but it was too dark. He looked at the angelic expression on Seamus' face. When Seamus fell asleep he didn't look vulnerable, he looked hot and impish, but there was a way that his skin seemed to reflect all available light and make him shine in a beautiful way.
The crying detracted Harry from what he was thinking about. He got up and tried to discern where it was coming from. He crept over to Neville's bed and realized it was there. Neville was crying?
Over the year the boys had all had something to cry about. When you live with a group of people day in and day out for a few years there gets to be a great degree of closeness, they were all brothers. But when Harry thought about it Neville had never cried. Never cried… Suddenly Harry was worried for Neville. After all, if you couldn't release something, it held you, it grew and infected you and became you. If you couldn't recognize it or acknowledge it some how it would eat you until you were a bush not capable of thought.
Harry didn't of course apply this to himself.
"Neville?" Harry's voice softly carried into the bed. He could make out a small form curled pathetically into the fetal position. The crying only continued. Harry crept up and softly put a hand on Neville's shoulder. The boy froze and Harry could feel the fear rise up.
Why would he be afraid? But Harry just made comforting noises in his ear. Neville slowly relaxed and looked at Harry.
"What- I'm sorry- I-" Harry cut him off, firmly but with tenderness.
"Hush." Harry then curled up around Neville and held him like he was the most fragile spun glass in the world. Neville sobbed into his shoulder. Harry felt the tears, wet and powerful fall down his shoulder.
"Come on Neville, let it out." Harry was amazed at how calm he was.
"I- it's my fault!" Neville wailed. Dean stirred and Harry grabbed Neville's wand off the desk and quickly cast the silence charm again.
"There, now let it all out." Harry said. Neville gave in then, and he released great hacking sobs. He couldn't even shed tears now. And slowly the story unfolded.
Neville's grandmother had been caught out one night. The body they had found had been untouched. But the crazed look of fear and pain had shown the medi-wizards what had happened. One of the unforgivable curses, Crucio. Neville's grandmother had died of the same curse that imprisoned his parents. And the dark mark had been burned into his grandmother's forehead.
At that moment Harry wanted nothing more than to rip Voldemort's hear out, and then to put it back in and heal him so Neville could have a go. And everyone else that fucking bastard has hurt. Words couldn't express the hatred Harry felt. But for now…
He gently held Neville and crooned noises to him, words that had no meaning but were comforting, because it meant that someone was there.
Seamus stretched and rolled over. What was this? Where'd Harry go- Oh he went back to bed. Seamus shook his head and blushed at the thought of how quick that had been last night, and how intense…
He shook himself and got out of bed. He quickly wrapped a robe around himself and wandered over to the showers. On his way he happened to peer at Neville's bed. Oh, Harry was there with Neville well-
Seamus froze and looked, sure enough, Harry, his Harry, was in bed curled up around Neville Longbottom. And Seamus was angrier than he'd ever been before…
Myr- Ah but why would the Dark Mark be pink you ask? You'll find out soon enough…
JediGinny- Thank you, I actually took some time with that
scene, and no write some more Adamo Redamo!
Artema- Oh you're right, but in a good way… Well you'll see. Arabella will be an enigma of strange behavior. I like Harry Seamus too…
Night Walker- I assume that was a question. Nobody's dead, yet.